Control device for injection molding machines

Abstract

To improve work efficiency. [Solution] A control device for an injection molding machine according to one embodiment includes a control unit that causes each of the multiple injection molding machines to perform temperature rise control so that each of the multiple injection molding machines completes the temperature rise necessary to enable the operator to start up the machine at different times.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for an injection molding machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an injection molding machine manufactures a molded product by melting a molding material in a cylinder and filling the molten molding material into a cavity space in a mold device.

[0003] In order to start manufacturing a molded product in an injection molding machine, it takes time from when the temperature of the cylinder is started to rise by a temperature control member until the temperature rise is completed. For this reason, various proposals have been made regarding preparations for starting the production of molded products with an injection molding machine. For example, in the technique described in Citation 1, a technique has been proposed in which, by inputting the completion time of the temperature rise, control is performed so that the temperature rise by the temperature control member is completed at the input completion time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the technique shown in Patent Document 1 does not consider the case where there are a plurality of injection molding machines. That is, when the number of injection molding machines is larger than that of workers, even if the temperature rises of the plurality of injection molding machines are completed simultaneously, it is difficult for the worker to perform startup operations on the plurality of injection molding machines simultaneously. That is, if there is an injection molding machine for which startup work by the worker cannot be performed even though the temperature rise is completed, there is a high possibility that the energy for maintaining the temperature rise temperature in the injection molding machine will be wasted.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a technology for suppressing energy consumption and improving work efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A control device for an injection molding machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes a control unit that causes each of the multiple injection molding machines to perform temperature rise control so that each of the multiple injection molding machines completes the temperature rise necessary to enable the operator to start up the machine at different times. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, energy consumption is suppressed and work efficiency is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the state of an injection molding machine upon completion of mold opening according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the state of an injection molding machine during mold clamping according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the working environment of an injection molding machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the components of the control device, management device, and mobile communication terminal of the injection molding machine according to the first embodiment, in functional blocks. [Figure 5] Figure 5 illustrates the temperature control management status of nine injection molding machines by the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an example of a temperature control screen displayed by the display control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an example of a temperature control screen displayed by a display control unit according to Modification 1 of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an example of a temperature control screen displayed by a display control unit according to a modified example 2 of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an example of a temperature control screen displayed by the display control unit according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, the embodiments described below are illustrative and not limiting to the invention, and not all features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. In addition, identical or corresponding components in each drawing are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0011] Figure 1 shows the state of the injection molding machine when the mold opening is complete according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 shows the state of the injection molding machine when the mold is clamped according to the first embodiment. In this specification, the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis direction and Y-axis direction represent the horizontal direction, and the Z-axis direction represents the vertical direction. When the mold clamping device 100 is horizontal, the X-axis direction is the mold opening and closing direction, and the Y-axis direction is the width direction of the injection molding machine 10. The negative side in the Y-axis direction is called the operating side, and the positive side in the Y-axis direction is called the non-operating side.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the injection molding machine 10 includes a clamping device 100 for opening and closing the mold device 800, an ejector device 200 for ejecting the molded product formed in the mold device 800, an injection device 300 for injecting molding material into the mold device 800, a moving device 400 for moving the injection device 300 forward and backward relative to the mold device 800, a control device 700 for controlling each component of the injection molding machine 10, and a frame 900 for supporting each component of the injection molding machine 10. The frame 900 includes a clamping device frame 910 for supporting the clamping device 100 and an injection device frame 920 for supporting the injection device 300. The clamping device frame 910 and the injection device frame 920 are each installed on the floor 2 via leveling adjusters 930. The control device 700 is located in the internal space of the injection device frame 920. The components of the injection molding machine 10 will be described below.

[0013] (Molding clamping device) In the description of the molding clamping device 100, the moving direction of the movable platen 120 when the mold is closed (for example, the positive X-axis direction) is defined as the front, and the moving direction of the movable platen 120 when the mold is opened (for example, the negative X-axis direction) is defined as the rear for explanation.

[0014] The molding clamping device 100 performs mold closing, pressure boosting, mold clamping, pressure release, and mold opening of the mold device 800. The mold device 800 includes a fixed mold 810 and a movable mold 820. The molding clamping device 100 is, for example, a horizontal type, and the mold opening / closing direction is a horizontal direction. The molding clamping device 100 has a fixed platen 110 to which the fixed mold 810 is attached, a movable platen 120 to which the movable mold 820 is attached, and a moving mechanism 102 that moves the movable platen 120 in the mold opening / closing direction with respect to the fixed platen 110.

[0015] The fixed platen 110 is fixed to the molding clamping device frame 910. The fixed mold 810 is attached to the opposing surface of the fixed platen 110 with respect to the movable platen 120. [[ID=!2]]

[0016] The movable platen 120 is arranged to be movable in the mold opening / closing direction with respect to the molding clamping device frame 910. A guide 101 for guiding the movable platen 120 is laid on the molding clamping device frame 910. The movable mold 820 is attached to the opposing surface of the movable platen I20 with respect to the fixed platen 110.

[0017] The moving mechanism 102 performs mold closing, pressure boosting, mold clamping, pressure release, and mold opening of the mold device 800 by advancing and retreating the movable platen I20 with respect to the fixed platen 110. The moving mechanism 102 has a toggle support 130 arranged at an interval from the fixed platen 110, a tie bar 140 connecting the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130, a toggle mechanism 150 that moves the movable platen 120 in the mold opening / closing direction with respect to the toggle support 130, a molding clamping motor 160 that operates the toggle mechanism 150, a motion conversion mechanism 170 that converts the rotational motion of the molding clamping motor 160 into a linear motion, and a mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 that adjusts the interval between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130.

[0018] The toggle support 130 is disposed at an interval from the fixed platen 110 and is placed movably in the mold opening / closing direction on the mold clamping device frame 910. Note that the toggle support 130 may be movably arranged along a guide laid on the mold clamping device frame 910. The guide of the toggle support 130 may be common with the guide 101 of the movable platen 120.

[0019] In this embodiment, the fixed platen 110 is fixed to the mold clamping device frame 910, and the toggle support 130 is disposed movably in the mold opening / closing direction with respect to the mold clamping device frame 910. However, the toggle support 130 may be fixed to the mold clamping device frame 910, and the fixed platen 110 may be disposed movably in the mold opening / closing direction with respect to the mold clamping device frame 910.

[0020] The tie bars 140 connect the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130 with an interval L in the mold opening / closing direction. A plurality of (for example, four) tie bars 140 may be used. The plurality of tie bars 140 are arranged in parallel in the mold opening / closing direction and extend according to the clamping force. At least one of the tie bars 140 may be provided with a tie bar strain detector 141 for detecting the strain of the tie bar 140. The tie bar strain detector 141 sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the tie bar strain detector 141 is used for detecting the clamping force and the like.

[0021] In this embodiment, the tie bar strain detector 141 is used as the clamping force detector for detecting the clamping force, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The clamping force detector is not limited to the strain gauge type, and may be a piezoelectric type, a capacitive type, a hydraulic type, an electromagnetic type, etc., and its mounting position is not limited to the tie bar 140.

[0022] The toggle mechanism 150 is positioned between the movable platen 120 and the toggle support 130, and moves the movable platen 120 in the mold opening and closing direction relative to the toggle support 130. The toggle mechanism 150 has a crosshead 151 that moves in the mold opening and closing direction, and a pair of link groups that bend and extend as the crosshead 151 moves. Each of the link groups has a first link 152 and a second link 153 that are bendable and extendable connected by a pin or the like. The first link 152 is pivotably attached to the movable platen 120 by a pin or the like. The second link 153 is pivotably attached to the toggle support 130 by a pin or the like. The second link 153 is attached to the crosshead 151 via a third link 154. When the crosshead 151 moves forward and backward relative to the toggle support 130, the first link 152 and the second link 153 bend and extend, and the movable platen 120 moves forward and backward relative to the toggle support 130.

[0023] Note that the configuration of the toggle mechanism 150 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2. For example, in Figures 1 and 2, each link group has five nodes, but it may also have four, and one end of the third link 154 may be connected to the node between the first link 152 and the second link 153.

[0024] The clamping motor 160 is attached to the toggle support 130 and operates the toggle mechanism 150. The clamping motor 160 moves the crosshead 151 forward and backward relative to the toggle support 130, thereby bending and extending the first link 152 and the second link 153, and moving the movable platen 120 forward and backward relative to the toggle support 130. The clamping motor 160 is directly connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170, but it may also be connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170 via a belt, pulley, or the like.

[0025] The motion conversion mechanism 170 converts the rotational motion of the clamping motor 160 into the linear motion of the crosshead 151. The motion conversion mechanism 170 includes a screw shaft and a screw nut that screws onto the screw shaft. A ball or roller may be interposed between the screw shaft and the screw nut.

[0026] The mold clamping device 100 performs processes such as mold closing, pressure boosting, mold clamping, depressurization, and mold opening under the control of the control device 700.

[0027] In the mold closing process, the clamping motor 160 is driven to advance the crosshead 151 to the mold closing completion position at a set movement speed, thereby advancing the movable platen 120 and bringing the movable mold 820 into contact with the fixed mold 810. The position and movement speed of the crosshead 151 are detected using, for example, a clamping motor encoder 161. The clamping motor encoder 161 detects the rotation of the clamping motor 160 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700.

[0028] Furthermore, the crosshead position detector for detecting the position of the crosshead 151 and the crosshead speed detector for detecting the movement speed of the crosshead 151 are not limited to the clamping motor encoder 161, and general-purpose devices can be used. Similarly, the movable platen position detector for detecting the position of the movable platen 120 and the movable platen speed detector for detecting the movement speed of the movable platen 120 are not limited to the clamping motor encoder 161, and general-purpose devices can be used.

[0029] In the boosting process, the clamping motor 160 is further driven to advance the crosshead 151 from the closed position to the clamping position, thereby generating clamping force.

[0030] In the clamping process, the clamping motor 160 is driven to maintain the position of the crosshead 151 in the clamping position. In the clamping process, the clamping force generated in the pressurization process is maintained. In the clamping process, a cavity space 801 (see Figure 2) is formed between the movable mold 820 and the fixed mold 810, and the injection unit 300 fills the cavity space 801 with liquid molding material. A molded product is obtained when the filled molding material solidifies.

[0031] The number of cavity spaces 801 may be one or more. In the latter case, multiple molded products can be obtained simultaneously. An insert material may be placed in part of the cavity space 801, and the molding material may be filled in the other part of the cavity space 801. A molded product in which the insert material and the molding material are integrated is obtained.

[0032] In the depressurization process, the clamping motor 160 is driven to retract the crosshead 151 from the clamping position to the mold opening start position, thereby retracting the movable platen 120 and reducing the clamping force. The mold opening start position and the mold closing completion position may be the same position.

[0033] In the mold opening process, the clamping motor 160 is driven to retract the crosshead 151 from the mold opening start position to the mold opening completion position at a set movement speed, thereby retracting the movable platen 120 and separating the movable mold 820 from the fixed mold 810. Subsequently, the ejector device 200 ejects the molded product from the movable mold 820.

[0034] The setting conditions for the mold closing process, the pressure boosting process, and the mold clamping process are set together as a series of setting conditions. For example, the movement speed and position of the crosshead 151 (including the mold closing start position, movement speed switching position, mold closing completion position, and mold clamping position), and the mold clamping force in the mold closing process and the pressure boosting process are set together as a series of setting conditions. The mold closing start position, movement speed switching position, mold closing completion position, and mold clamping position are arranged in this order from rear to front and represent the start and end points of the section in which the movement speed is set. The movement speed is set for each section. There may be one or more movement speed switching positions. There may be no movement speed switching positions. The mold clamping position and the mold clamping force may be set individually or individually.

[0035] The setting conditions for the depressurization process and the mold opening process are set similarly. For example, the movement speed and position of the crosshead 151 in the depressurization process and the mold opening process (mold opening start position, movement speed switching position, and mold opening completion position) are set together as a series of setting conditions. The mold opening start position, movement speed switching position, and mold opening completion position are arranged in this order from front to back and represent the start and end points of the sections in which the movement speed is set. The movement speed is set for each section. There may be one or more movement speed switching positions. There may be no movement speed switching positions. The mold opening start position and the mold closing completion position may be the same position. Also, the mold opening completion position and the mold closing start position may be the same position.

[0036] Alternatively, the movement speed and position of the movable platen 120 may be set instead of the movement speed and position of the crosshead 151. Furthermore, the clamping force may be set instead of the position of the crosshead (e.g., the clamping position) or the position of the movable platen.

[0037] Incidentally, the toggle mechanism 150 amplifies the driving force of the clamping motor 160 and transmits it to the movable platen 120. This amplification ratio is also called the toggle ratio. The toggle ratio changes depending on the angle θ between the first link 152 and the second link 153 (hereinafter also referred to as the "link angle θ"). The link angle θ can be determined from the position of the crosshead 151. The toggle ratio is maximized when the link angle θ is 180°.

[0038] If the thickness of the mold device 800 changes due to replacement of the mold device 800 or a change in the temperature of the mold device 800, the mold thickness is adjusted so that a predetermined clamping force is obtained during mold clamping. In mold thickness adjustment, for example, the distance L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130 is adjusted so that the link angle θ of the toggle mechanism 150 becomes a predetermined angle at the time of mold touch when the movable mold 820 touches the fixed mold 810.

[0039] The mold clamping device 100 has a mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180. The mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 adjusts the mold thickness by adjusting the distance L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130. The timing of the mold thickness adjustment is, for example, between the end of one molding cycle and the start of the next molding cycle. The mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 includes, for example, a screw shaft 181 formed at the rear end of the tie bar 140, a screw nut 182 that is rotatably and immovably held by the toggle support 130, and a mold thickness adjustment motor 183 that rotates the screw nut 182 that is screwed onto the screw shaft 181.

[0040] A screw shaft 181 and screw nut 182 are provided for each tie bar 140. The rotational driving force of the mold thickness adjustment motor 183 may be transmitted to multiple screw nuts 182 via a rotational driving force transmission unit 185. Multiple screw nuts 182 can be rotated synchronously. It is also possible to rotate multiple screw nuts 182 individually by changing the transmission path of the rotational driving force transmission unit 185.

[0041] The rotational drive force transmission unit 185 is composed of, for example, gears. In this case, driven gears are formed on the outer circumference of each screw nut 182, a drive gear is attached to the output shaft of the mold thickness adjustment motor 183, and an intermediate gear that meshes with the multiple driven gears and the drive gear is rotatably held in the center of the toggle support 130. Note that the rotational drive force transmission unit 185 may be composed of a belt or pulley instead of gears.

[0042] The operation of the mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 is controlled by the control device 700. The control device 700 drives the mold thickness adjustment motor 183 to rotate the screw nut 182. As a result, the position of the toggle support 130 relative to the tie bar 140 is adjusted, and the distance L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130 is adjusted. Multiple mold thickness adjustment mechanisms may be used in combination.

[0043] The interval L is detected using the mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184. The mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 detects the amount and direction of rotation of the mold thickness adjustment motor 183 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 is used to monitor and control the position and interval L of the toggle support 130. Note that the toggle support position detector for detecting the position of the toggle support 130 and the interval detector for detecting the interval L are not limited to the mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184, but general-purpose devices can be used.

[0044] The clamping device 100 may have a mold temperature controller that adjusts the temperature of the mold device 800. The mold device 800 has a flow path for a temperature-controlled medium inside it. The mold temperature controller adjusts the temperature of the mold device 800 by adjusting the temperature of the temperature-controlled medium supplied to the flow path of the mold device 800.

[0045] In this embodiment, the mold clamping device 100 is a horizontal type in which the mold opening and closing direction is horizontal, but it may also be a vertical type in which the mold opening and closing direction is vertical.

[0046] In this embodiment, the clamping device 100 has a clamping motor 160 as a drive source, but a hydraulic cylinder may be used instead of the clamping motor 160. Furthermore, the clamping device 100 may have a linear motor for opening and closing the mold, and an electromagnet for clamping the mold.

[0047] (Ejector device) In describing the ejector device 200, similar to the description of the clamping device 100, the direction of movement of the movable platen 120 when the mold is closed (for example, the positive X-axis direction) is described as forward, and the direction of movement of the movable platen 120 when the mold is open (for example, the negative X-axis direction) is described as backward.

[0048] The ejector device 200 is attached to the movable platen 120 and moves back and forth together with the movable platen 120. The ejector device 200 includes an ejector rod 210 that ejects the molded product from the mold device 800 and a drive mechanism 220 that moves the ejector rod 210 in the direction of movement of the movable platen 120 (in the X-axis direction).

[0049] The ejector rod 210 is positioned to move back and forth within a through-hole in the movable platen 120. The front end of the ejector rod 210 contacts the ejector plate 826 of the movable mold 820. The front end of the ejector rod 210 may or may not be connected to the ejector plate 826.

[0050] The drive mechanism 220 includes, for example, an ejector motor and a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the ejector motor into the linear motion of the ejector rod 210. The motion conversion mechanism includes a screw shaft and a screw nut that screws onto the screw shaft. A ball or roller may be interposed between the screw shaft and the screw nut.

[0051] The ejector device 200 performs the ejection process under the control of the control device 700. In the ejection process, the ejector rod 210 is advanced from the standby position to the ejection position at a set travel speed, thereby advancing the ejector plate 826 and ejecting the molded product. Subsequently, the ejector motor is driven to retract the ejector rod 210 at a set travel speed, retracting the ejector plate 826 back to its original standby position.

[0052] The position and speed of the ejector rod 210 are detected, for example, using an ejector motor encoder. The ejector motor encoder detects the rotation of the ejector motor and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. Note that the ejector rod position detector, which detects the position of the ejector rod 210, and the ejector rod speed detector, which detects the speed of the ejector rod 210, are not limited to ejector motor encoders, but general-purpose devices can be used.

[0053] (injection device) In the description of the injection device 300, unlike the descriptions of the clamping device 100 and the ejector device 200, the direction of movement of the screw 330 during filling (for example, the negative X-axis direction) is described as forward, and the direction of movement of the screw 330 during metering (for example, the positive X-axis direction) is described as backward.

[0054] The injection device 300 is mounted on a slide base 301, which is positioned to move back and forth relative to the injection device frame 920. The injection device 300 is positioned to move back and forth relative to the mold device 800. The injection device 300 touches the mold device 800 and fills the cavity space 801 in the mold device 800 with the molding material metered in the cylinder 310. The injection device 300 includes, for example, a cylinder 310 for heating the molding material, a nozzle 320 provided at the front end of the cylinder 310, a screw 330 positioned within the cylinder 310 to move back and forth and to rotate, a metering motor 340 for rotating the screw 330, an injection motor 350 for moving the screw 330 back and forth, and a load detector 360 for detecting the load transmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330.

[0055] The cylinder 310 heats the molding material supplied to its interior from the supply port 311. The molding material includes, for example, resin. The molding material is formed, for example, into pellets and supplied to the supply port 311 in a solid state. The supply port 311 is formed at the rear of the cylinder 310. A cooler 312, such as a water-cooled cylinder, is provided on the outer circumference of the rear of the cylinder 310. In front of the cooler 312, a heater 313, such as a band heater, and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the outer circumference of the cylinder 310.

[0056] The cylinder 310 is divided into multiple zones along its axial direction (for example, the X-axis direction). A heater 313 and a temperature detector 314 are provided in each of the multiple zones. A set temperature is set for each of the multiple zones, and the control device 700 controls the heater 313 so that the temperature detected by the temperature detector 314 becomes the set temperature.

[0057] The nozzle 320 is located at the front end of the cylinder 310 and is pressed against the mold device 800. A heater 313 and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the outer circumference of the nozzle 320. The control device 700 controls the heater 313 so that the detected temperature of the nozzle 320 reaches a set temperature.

[0058] The screw 330 is rotatably and reciprocally positioned within the cylinder 310. When the screw 330 is rotated, the molding material is fed forward along the helical groove of the screw 330. As the molding material is fed forward, it is gradually melted by the heat from the cylinder 310. As the liquid molding material is fed forward to the screw 330 and accumulates at the front of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is retracted. Then, when the screw 330 is advanced, the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 is injected from the nozzle 320 and filled into the mold device 800.

[0059] A backflow prevention ring 331 is mounted on the front of the screw 330 so as to be able to move back and forth, acting as a backflow prevention valve to prevent backflow of the molding material from the front to the rear of the screw 330 when the screw 330 is pushed forward.

[0060] When the screw 330 is advanced, the backflow prevention ring 331 is pushed backward by the pressure of the molding material in front of the screw 330, and retracts relative to the screw 330 to a closed position (see Figure 2) that blocks the flow path of the molding material. This prevents the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 from flowing backward.

[0061] On the other hand, when the screw 330 is rotated, the backflow prevention ring 331 is pushed forward by the pressure of the molding material being sent forward along the helical groove of the screw 330, and moves relative to the screw 330 to an open position (see Figure 1) that opens the flow path of the molding material. As a result, the molding material is sent forward of the screw 330.

[0062] The backflow prevention ring 331 may be either a co-rotating type that rotates together with the screw 330, or a non-co-rotating type that does not rotate together with the screw 330.

[0063] The injection device 300 may also have a drive source that moves the backflow prevention ring 331 back and forth between an open position and a closed position relative to the screw 330.

[0064] The metering motor 340 rotates the screw 330. The drive source for rotating the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor 340; for example, a hydraulic pump or the like may also be used.

[0065] The injection motor 350 moves the screw 330 forward and backward. Between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330, there is a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the injection motor 350 into the linear motion of the screw 330. The motion conversion mechanism has, for example, a screw shaft and a screw nut that screws onto the screw shaft. Balls or rollers may be provided between the screw shaft and the screw nut. The drive source for moving the screw 330 forward and backward is not limited to the injection motor 350, but may also be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder.

[0066] The load detector 360 detects the load transmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330. The detected load is converted into pressure by the control device 700. The load detector 360 is installed in the load transmission path between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330 and detects the load acting on the load detector 360.

[0067] The load detector 360 sends a signal of the detected load to the control device 700. The load detected by the load detector 360 is converted into pressure acting between the screw 330 and the molding material, and is used for controlling and monitoring the pressure the screw 330 receives from the molding material, the back pressure on the screw 330, and the pressure acting from the screw 330 on the molding material.

[0068] Furthermore, the pressure detector used to detect the pressure of the molding material is not limited to the load detector 360, but a general-purpose one can be used. For example, a nozzle pressure sensor or an in-mold pressure sensor may be used. The nozzle pressure sensor is installed on the nozzle 320.

[0069] The injection device 300 performs processes such as metering, filling, and holding pressure under the control of the control device 700. The filling and holding pressure processes may be collectively referred to as the injection process.

[0070] In the weighing process, the weighing motor 340 is driven to rotate the screw 330 at a set rotational speed, and the molding material is fed forward along the helical groove of the screw 330. As this occurs, the molding material is gradually melted. As the liquid molding material is fed forward to the screw 330 and accumulates at the front of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is retracted. The rotational speed of the screw 330 is detected, for example, using a weighing motor encoder 341. The weighing motor encoder 341 detects the rotation of the weighing motor 340 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. Note that the screw rotational speed detector for detecting the rotational speed of the screw 330 is not limited to the weighing motor encoder 341, and a general type can be used.

[0071] In the weighing process, the injection motor 350 may be driven to apply a set back pressure to the screw 330 in order to limit the rapid retraction of the screw 330. The back pressure on the screw 330 is detected, for example, using a load detector 360. The weighing process is completed when the screw 330 has retracted to the weighing completion position and a predetermined amount of molding material has accumulated in front of the screw 330.

[0072] The position and rotational speed of the screw 330 in the metering process are set together as a series of setting conditions. For example, the metering start position, rotational speed switching position, and metering completion position are set. These positions are arranged in this order from front to back and represent the start and end points of the sections in which the rotational speed is set. The rotational speed is set for each section. There may be one or more rotational speed switching positions. The rotational speed switching positions may not be set. In addition, back pressure is set for each section.

[0073] In the filling process, the injection motor 350 is driven to advance the screw 330 at a set speed, filling the cavity space 801 in the mold device 800 with the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330. The position and speed of the screw 330 are detected, for example, using an injection motor encoder 351. The injection motor encoder 351 detects the rotation of the injection motor 350 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. When the position of the screw 330 reaches the set position, a switchover from the filling process to the holding pressure process (so-called V / P switching) occurs. The position at which the V / P switching occurs is also called the V / P switching position. The set speed of the screw 330 may be changed depending on the position and time of the screw 330.

[0074] The position and movement speed of the screw 330 during the filling process are set together as a series of setting conditions. For example, the filling start position (also called the "injection start position"), the movement speed switching position, and the V / P switching position are set. These positions are arranged in this order from rear to front and represent the start and end points of the sections in which the movement speed is set. The movement speed is set for each section. There may be one or more movement speed switching positions. The movement speed switching positions may not be set at all.

[0075] For each section in which the movement speed of the screw 330 is set, an upper limit is set for the pressure of the screw 330. The pressure of the screw 330 is detected by the load sensor 360. If the pressure of the screw 330 is below the set pressure, the screw 330 moves forward at the set movement speed. On the other hand, if the pressure of the screw 330 exceeds the set pressure, for the purpose of protecting the mold, the screw 330 moves forward at a slower movement speed than the set movement speed so that the pressure of the screw 330 becomes below the set pressure.

[0076] Furthermore, during the filling process, after the screw 330 reaches the V / P switching position, the screw 330 may be temporarily stopped at the V / P switching position, and then the V / P switching may be performed. Immediately before the V / P switching, instead of stopping the screw 330, the screw 330 may be moved forward or backward at a slow speed. In addition, the screw position detector that detects the position of the screw 330 and the screw movement speed detector that detects the movement speed of the screw 330 are not limited to the injection motor encoder 351, but general-purpose ones can be used.

[0077] In the holding pressure process, the injection motor 350 is driven to push the screw 330 forward, maintaining the pressure of the molding material at the front end of the screw 330 (hereinafter also referred to as "holding pressure") at a set pressure, and pushing the molding material remaining in the cylinder 310 toward the mold device 800. This allows for the replenishment of molding material lost due to cooling shrinkage within the mold device 800. The holding pressure is detected, for example, using a load detector 360. The set value of the holding pressure may be changed according to the elapsed time from the start of the holding pressure process. Multiple holding pressures and holding times for maintaining the holding pressure in the holding pressure process may be set, and may be set together as a series of setting conditions.

[0078] During the holding pressure process, the molding material in the cavity space 801 within the mold device 800 is gradually cooled, and upon completion of the holding pressure process, the entrance to the cavity space 801 is sealed with solidified molding material. This state is called a gate seal, and prevents backflow of molding material from the cavity space 801. After the holding pressure process, the cooling process begins. During the cooling process, the molding material in the cavity space 801 is solidified. To shorten the molding cycle time, a metering process may be performed during the cooling process.

[0079] In this embodiment, the injection device 300 is an in-line screw type, but a pre-plasticization type or the like may also be used. In a pre-plasticization injection device, the molding material molten in a plasticizing cylinder is supplied to the injection cylinder, and the molding material is injected from the injection cylinder into the mold device. In the plasticizing cylinder, a screw is arranged to be rotatable but unable to move back and forth, or a screw is arranged to be rotatable and able to move back and forth. On the other hand, a plunger is arranged to be able to move back and forth in the injection cylinder.

[0080] Furthermore, although the injection device 300 in this embodiment is a horizontal type with the axial direction of the cylinder 310 being horizontal, it may also be a vertical type with the axial direction of the cylinder 310 being vertical. The clamping device combined with the vertical injection device 300 may be vertical or horizontal. Similarly, the clamping device combined with the horizontal injection device 300 may be horizontal or vertical.

[0081] (Mobile device) In describing the moving device 400, similar to the description of the injection device 300, the direction of movement of the screw 330 during filling (for example, the negative X-axis direction) is described as forward, and the direction of movement of the screw 330 during metering (for example, the positive X-axis direction) is described as backward.

[0082] The moving device 400 moves the injection device 300 forward and backward relative to the mold device 800. The moving device 400 also presses the nozzle 320 against the mold device 800, generating nozzle touch pressure. The moving device 400 includes a hydraulic pump 410, a motor 420 as a drive source, a hydraulic cylinder 430 as a hydraulic actuator, and the like.

[0083] The hydraulic pump 410 has a first port 411 and a second port 412. The hydraulic pump 410 is a bidirectional rotatable pump, and by switching the rotation direction of the motor 420, it can draw in working fluid (e.g., oil) from either the first port 411 or the second port 412 and discharge it from the other to generate hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic pump 410 can also draw working fluid from a tank and discharge it from either the first port 411 or the second port 412.

[0084] Motor 420 operates the hydraulic pump 410. Motor 420 drives the hydraulic pump 410 with a rotational direction and rotational torque corresponding to the control signal from the control device 700. Motor 420 may be an electric motor or an electric servo motor.

[0085] The hydraulic cylinder 430 comprises a cylinder body 431, a piston 432, and a piston rod 433. The cylinder body 431 is fixed to the injection device 300. The piston 432 divides the inside of the cylinder body 431 into a front chamber 435 as a first chamber and a rear chamber 436 as a second chamber. The piston rod 433 is fixed to the fixed platen 110.

[0086] The front chamber 435 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 is connected to the first port 411 of the hydraulic pump 410 via a first passage 401. The hydraulic fluid discharged from the first port 411 is supplied to the front chamber 435 via the first passage 401, pushing the injection device 300 forward. As the injection device 300 moves forward, the nozzle 320 is pressed against the fixed mold 810. The front chamber 435 functions as a pressure chamber that generates nozzle touch pressure on the nozzle 320 by the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied from the hydraulic pump 410.

[0087] Meanwhile, the rear chamber 436 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 is connected to the second port 412 of the hydraulic pump 410 via the second passage 402. The working fluid discharged from the second port 412 is supplied to the rear chamber 436 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 via the second passage 402, pushing the injection device 300 backward. As the injection device 300 is retracted, the nozzle 320 is separated from the fixed mold 810.

[0088] In this embodiment, the moving device 400 includes a hydraulic cylinder 430, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the hydraulic cylinder 430, an electric motor and a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the electric motor into the linear motion of the injection device 300 may be used.

[0089] (Control device) The control device 700 is, for example, a computer and, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, a storage medium 702 such as memory, an input interface 703, an output interface 704, and a communication interface 705. The control device 700 performs various controls by having the CPU 701 execute a program stored in the storage medium 702. The control device 700 also receives signals from the outside through the input interface 703 and transmits signals to the outside through the output interface 704.

[0090] The control device 700 repeatedly produces molded products by repeatedly performing processes such as metering, mold closing, pressure increasing, mold clamping, filling, holding pressure, cooling, depressurization, mold opening, and ejection. A series of operations to obtain a molded product, such as the operations from the start of one metering process to the start of the next metering process, is also called a "shot" or "molding cycle." The time required for one shot is also called the "molding cycle time" or "cycle time."

[0091] A single molding cycle includes, for example, a weighing process, a mold closing process, a pressurizing process, a clamping process, a filling process, a holding pressure process, a cooling process, a depressurizing process, a mold opening process, and an ejection process, in this order. The order here refers to the order in which each process begins. The filling, holding pressure, and cooling processes take place during the clamping process. The start of the clamping process may coincide with the start of the filling process. The completion of the depressurizing process coincides with the start of the mold opening process.

[0092] Furthermore, multiple processes may be performed simultaneously to shorten the molding cycle time. For example, the metering process may be performed during the cooling process of the previous molding cycle, or during the mold clamping process. In this case, the mold closing process may be performed at the beginning of the molding cycle. The filling process may also be started during the mold closing process. The ejection process may also be started during the mold opening process. If an on-off valve is provided to open and close the flow path of the nozzle 320, the mold opening process may be started during the metering process. This is because even if the mold opening process is started during the metering process, if the on-off valve closes the flow path of the nozzle 320, the molding material will not leak from the nozzle 320.

[0093] Furthermore, a single molding cycle may include steps other than the weighing step, mold closing step, pressurization step, mold clamping step, filling step, holding pressure step, cooling step, depressurization step, mold opening step, and ejection step.

[0094] For example, after the holding pressure process is completed and before the metering process begins, a pre-metering suck-back process may be performed in which the screw 330 is retracted to a preset metering start position. This reduces the pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 before the metering process begins and prevents the screw 330 from retracting too quickly at the start of the metering process.

[0095] Furthermore, after the metering process is completed and before the filling process begins, a post-metering suck-back process may be performed in which the screw 330 is retracted to a preset filling start position (also called the "injection start position"). This reduces the pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 before the filling process begins and prevents leakage of the molding material from the nozzle 320 before the filling process begins.

[0096] The control device 700 is connected to an operating device 750 that accepts user input operations and a display device 760 that displays a screen. The operating device 750 and the display device 760 may be integrated, for example, by a touch panel 770. The touch panel 770, as the display device 760, displays a screen under the control of the control device 700. The screen of the touch panel 770 may display information such as the settings of the injection molding machine 10 and the current status of the injection molding machine 10. The touch panel 770 accepts operations in the displayed screen area. The screen area of ​​the touch panel 770 may also display operation parts such as buttons and input fields that accept user input operations. The touch panel 770, as the operating device 750, detects user input operations on the screen and outputs a signal corresponding to the input operation to the control device 700. This allows, for example, the user to operate the operation parts provided on the screen while confirming the information displayed on the screen to configure the injection molding machine 10 (including inputting setting values), etc. Furthermore, the user can operate the injection molding machine 10 corresponding to the operation unit by operating the operation unit provided on the screen. The operation of the injection molding machine 10 may include, for example, the operation (including stopping) of the clamping device 100, ejector device 200, injection device 300, moving device 400, etc. Alternatively, the operation of the injection molding machine 10 may include switching the screen displayed on the touch panel 770, which serves as the display device 760.

[0097] Although the operating device 750 and display device 760 in this embodiment have been described as being integrated as a touch panel 770, they may be provided independently. Furthermore, multiple operating devices 750 may be provided. The operating device 750 and display device 760 are positioned on the operating side (negative Y-axis direction) of the clamping device 100 (more specifically, the fixed platen 110).

[0098] (First Embodiment) Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the working environment of an injection molding machine according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 3, nine injection molding machines 10 are installed in a factory 1300.

[0099] Within the factory 1300, the control device 1200 and the nine injection molding machines 10 are connected via a communication line.

[0100] Furthermore, there are three workers 1311, 1312, and 1313 inside factory 1300. The three workers 1311, 1312, and 1313 each have a mobile communication terminal 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C (when referring to any of these mobile communication terminals, they will be referred to as mobile communication terminal 1000).

[0101] The management device 1200 and the mobile communication terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C are connected via a wireless communication line.

[0102] The management device 1200 comprises a display device 1201 and an operating device 1202. The management device 1200 is a device for managing nine injection molding machines 10, and displays a screen on the display device 1201 based on information received from the injection molding machines 10. In this way, the display device 1201 can display the status of the injection molding machines 10.

[0103] The control device 1200 is capable of outputting commands to start heating up to the nine injection molding machines 10. The nine injection molding machines 10 can start heating up based on the commands received from the control device 1200.

[0104] Incidentally, at the start of operations at factory 1300, once the nine injection molding machines 10 have finished heating up, workers 1311, 1312, and 1313 need to perform work to discharge the molten molding material from the cylinders 310 of the injection molding machines 10. In this embodiment, the work performed by the workers to prepare the injection molding machines 10 for continuous molding is called the start-up work. Specific examples of start-up work include, but are not limited to, the discharge (purging) of molding material, changing molding material (replacing existing molding material with another molding material), checking nozzle touch (centering), cleaning the nozzle 320 after manual weighing (because if molding material adheres to the nozzle, it puts a load on the nozzle 320 or the mold device 800), and starting up molding using the short shot method.

[0105] However, in the factory 1300 shown in Figure 3, there are more injection molding machines 10 than workers 1311, 1312, and 1313 who perform the start-up work. Therefore, if the heating of all nine injection molding machines 10 is completed simultaneously, while the start-up work is being performed on one injection molding machine 10, the other injection molding machines 10 will be on standby once they have finished heating. Since the other injection molding machines 10 will be on standby once they have finished heating, energy will be consumed to maintain the heating temperature, and the molding material molten in the cylinder 310 may burn, potentially causing the molding material to deteriorate.

[0106] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control device 1200 (an example of a control device for injection molding machines) controls the temperature rise of each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 so that the temperature rise of each injection molding machine 10 corresponding to the number of operators is completed. Then, when the operators have completed the start-up work on the injection molding machine 10 that has finished heating up, the control device 1200 controls the temperature rise so that the next injection molding machine 10 is ready for the operators to start up. In other words, when the temperature rise of an injection molding machine 10 is completed, that injection molding machine 10 is ready for the operators to start up.

[0107] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the components of the control device 700, the management device 1200, and the components of the mobile communication terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C of the injection molding machine 10 according to this embodiment, as functional blocks. Each functional block shown in Figure 4 is conceptual and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. It is possible to configure all or part of each functional block by distributing and integrating them functionally or physically in any unit. Each processing function performed by each functional block of the control device 700 is realized, all or any part thereof, by a program executed by the CPU 701. Alternatively, each functional block may be realized as wired logic hardware.

[0108] The mobile communication terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C shown in Figure 4 each include a display device 1001, a wireless communication interface 1002, and a CPU 1003.

[0109] The display device 1001 displays a screen for presenting information to workers, etc.

[0110] The wireless communication interface 1002 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information wirelessly with external devices such as the management device 1200.

[0111] The CPU 1003 controls the entire mobile communication terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C. For example, it performs various controls by having the CPU 1003 execute a program stored on a storage medium (not shown). For example, the CPU 1003 may implement a management application 1031 for managing the injection molding machine 10.

[0112] The CPU 701 of the control device 700 includes a communication control unit 711, an operation reception unit 712, a display control unit 713, and a temperature rise control unit 714.

[0113] The communication control unit 711 controls the reception and transmission of information to and from the management device 1200, etc., via the communication interface 705. For example, the communication control unit 711 receives information from the management device 1200 instructing the start of temperature increase.

[0114] The display control unit 713 controls the display device 760 to display information. For example, the display control unit 713 controls the display device 760 to display a screen for notifying the injection molding machine 10 about temperature rise.

[0115] The operation reception unit 712 receives input operations for the operation device 750. For example, when a notification indicating that the temperature rise has been completed is displayed on the display device 760, it receives an operation to discharge the molding material.

[0116] The temperature rise control unit 714, following instructions from the control device 1200 to start the temperature rise, uses multiple heaters provided in each zone that divides the cylinder 310 to control the temperature rise to the target temperature for each zone. The target temperature is, for example, the temperature at which molding by the injection molding machine 10 can begin.

[0117] For example, the temperature rise control unit 714 maintains, for each zone, the time delay between the start of heating and the start of temperature rise, the temperature rise rate (°C / s), and the target temperature. The temperature rise control unit 714 then controls the temperature rise so that the other zones reach their target temperature at the same time as the zone with the largest heat capacity reaches its target temperature.

[0118] Furthermore, the temperature rise control unit 714 can recognize the time required for heating to be completed based on the dead time, temperature rise rate (°C / s), and target temperature for each zone. When a heating completion time is set, the temperature rise control unit 714 can control the heating process by starting the heating process a time before the heating completion time, thereby reaching the target temperature by the heating completion time. In this embodiment, the recognition of the time required for heating is not limited to each of the injection molding machines 10; the control device 1200, etc., can also recognize the time required for heating based on the dead time, temperature rise rate (°C / s), and target temperature for each zone of each injection molding machine 10.

[0119] The management device 1200 consists of a display device 1201, an operating device 1202, a CPU 1203, a storage medium 1204, a communication interface 1205, a wireless communication interface 1206, and a bus connecting these.

[0120] The control device 1200 (an example of a control device for injection molding machines) according to this embodiment manages the temperature rise of nine injection molding machines 10. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the management status of the temperature rise control of nine injection molding machines 10 by the control device 1200 according to this embodiment.

[0121] The example shown in Figure 5 illustrates a situation where three workers are performing the startup work on nine injection molding machines 10. In this embodiment, one worker is responsible for starting up one injection molding machine 10. Therefore, it is possible to start up up to three injection molding machines 10 simultaneously.

[0122] Therefore, the control device 1200 classifies the first to third injection molding machines 10 into a first group, the fourth to sixth injection molding machines 10 into a second group, and the seventh to ninth injection molding machines 10 into a third group. The control device 1200 then adjusts the temperature rise control for each group of injection molding machines 10.

[0123] Incidentally, each of the first to ninth injection molding machines 10 in this embodiment has a different time required from the start of heating to the completion of heating. Therefore, even if heating is started simultaneously in multiple injection molding machines 10, it is not guaranteed that heating will be completed simultaneously in all of them.

[0124] Therefore, the control device 1200 has in advance known the time required to heat up each of the first to ninth injection molding machines 10. The CPU 1203 of the control device 1200 then issues instructions to the injection molding machines 10 to start the heating process, coordinating the completion of heating for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 in separate groups.

[0125] Specifically, the CPU 1203 of the control device 1200 takes into account the time required for each of the first injection molding machines 10 to the third injection molding machines 10 to heat up, and instructs the start of temperature control so that the first injection molding machine 10 to the third injection molding machine 10 complete heating up by time t1. In this embodiment, as an example of adjusting the temperature control for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 by the control device 1200, an example of instructing each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 to start temperature control will be described.

[0126] This allows three workers to simultaneously perform the start-up operations for the first injection molding machine 10 to the third injection molding machine 10 from time t1.

[0127] In the example shown in Figure 5, the start-up operation of the first injection molding machine 10 to the third injection molding machine 10 is assumed to take until time t2.

[0128] Therefore, the CPU 1203 of the control device 1200 takes into account the time required for each of the fourth injection molding machines 10 to the sixth injection molding machines 10 to heat up, and instructs the start of heating control so that the fourth injection molding machine 10 to the sixth injection molding machine 10 complete heating up at time t2.

[0129] This allows the three workers to immediately begin the start-up work for the fourth injection molding machine 10 to the sixth injection molding machine 10 simultaneously, starting from time t2, when the start-up work for the first injection molding machine 10 to the third injection molding machine 10 is completed.

[0130] In the example shown in Figure 5, the start-up operation of the fourth injection molding machine 10 to the sixth injection molding machine 10 is required until time t3.

[0131] Therefore, the CPU 1203 of the control device 1200 takes into account the time required for each of the seventh injection molding machines 10 to the ninth injection molding machine 10 to heat up, and instructs the start of heating control so that the seventh injection molding machine 10 to the ninth injection molding machine 10 complete heating up at time t3.

[0132] This allows the three workers to immediately begin the start-up work for the 7th to 9th injection molding machines 10 simultaneously, starting from time t3, when the start-up work for the 4th to 6th injection molding machines 10 is completed.

[0133] In this embodiment, the control device 1200 instructs the first injection molding machine 10 to the ninth injection molding machine 10 to start the above-described temperature rise control, thereby preventing the injection molding machine 10 from remaining idle after the temperature rise is complete. Therefore, the consumption of energy required to maintain the temperature rise can be suppressed. Next, the specific configuration of the control device 1200 will be described.

[0134] Returning to Figure 4, the display device 1201 of the management device 1200 displays a screen for presenting information to administrators, etc. The operating device 1202 is a device that receives operations from the administrator.

[0135] The communication interface 1205 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information in connection with the injection molding machine 10.

[0136] The wireless communication interface 1206 serves as an interface for the management device 1200 to transmit and receive information wirelessly with external devices such as mobile communication terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C.

[0137] The storage medium 1204 is, for example, a read / write non-volatile storage medium such as a semiconductor memory. For example, the storage medium 1204 includes a group management information storage unit 1241 and an injection molding machine management information storage unit 1242.

[0138] The group management information storage unit 1241 is a storage unit that manages groups that classify multiple injection molding machines 10. For example, the group management information storage unit 1241 stores information that identifies an injection molding machine 10 and information that identifies a group in association with each other. The group management information storage unit 1241 also stores information regarding the time for controlling the start of temperature rise for each group. For example, the group management information storage unit 1241 stores the temperature rise completion time registered for each group.

[0139] The injection molding machine management information storage unit 1242 manages the information necessary to derive the time required for heating each of the multiple injection molding machines 10. For example, the injection molding machine management information storage unit 1242 stores the dead time, temperature rise rate (°C / s), and target temperature for each zone of the first to ninth injection molding machines 10. Another example is that the injection molding machine management information storage unit 1242 stores the history of the time required for heating the first to ninth injection molding machines 10 up to now.

[0140] The management device 1200 performs various controls by causing the CPU 1203 to execute a program stored in the storage medium 1204.

[0141] Each processing function performed in each functional block of the management device 1200 is implemented, in whole or in part, by a program executed on the CPU 1203. Alternatively, each functional block may be implemented as wired logic hardware.

[0142] As shown in Figure 4, the CPU (an example of a control unit) 1203 of the management device 1200 includes an operation reception unit 1231, a display control unit 1232, a temperature rise control unit 1233, and a communication control unit 1234.

[0143] The operation reception unit 1231 receives input operations for the operation device 1202. For example, the operation reception unit 1231 receives operations on the screen displayed on the display device 1201.

[0144] The display control unit 1232 controls the display device 1201 to display information. For example, the display control unit 1232 displays a screen for managing the temperature rise of the injection molding machine 10 located in the factory 1300.

[0145] Figure 6 is an example of a management screen related to temperature rise displayed by the display control unit 1232 according to this embodiment. The management screen 1600 shown in Figure 6 is a screen in which the administrator makes settings related to the temperature rise of the injection molding machine 10 in order to have an operator perform the startup work.

[0146] In the management screen 1600 shown in Figure 6, there is an input field 1601 for the number of workers. In the management screen 1600, the number of injection molding machines 10 that can be registered for each group is equal to the number entered in input field 1601. For example, if "3" is set in input field 1601, it becomes possible to register 3 injection molding machines 10 for each group. In the management screen 1600, it may also be possible to select an injection molding machine 10 from a pull-down menu in each of the three display areas provided for each group. When the administrator selects an injection molding machine 10 in the management screen 1600, they only need to select information that can identify the injection molding machine 10, such as the model number of the injection molding machine 10 or the management number within the factory 1300.

[0147] In the management screen 1600 shown in Figure 6, the display area 1611 for the first injection molding machine, the display area 1612 for the second injection molding machine, and the display area 1613 for the third injection molding machine, which are selected as the first group, are displayed. As a result, the first group is associated with the first injection molding machine 10, the second injection molding machine 10, and the third injection molding machine 10.

[0148] Furthermore, the first group displays an input field 1614 for the time when the heating will be completed. The input field 1614 is pre-filled with "April 18th, 7:00". As a result, the control device 1200 controls the first injection molding machine 10, the second injection molding machine 10, and the third injection molding machine 10 to complete heating by "April 18th, 7:00".

[0149] Furthermore, the management screen 1600 displays the display areas 1621 for the fourth injection molding machine, 1622 for the fifth injection molding machine, and 1623 for the sixth injection molding machine, which are selected as the second group. As a result, the fourth injection molding machine 10, the fifth injection molding machine 10, and the sixth injection molding machine 10 are associated with the second group.

[0150] Furthermore, the second group displays an input field 1624 for the time of completion of the heating process. The input field 1624 is set to "30 minutes after completion of the first group". As a result, the control device 1200 controls the fourth injection molding machine 10, the fifth injection molding machine 10, and the sixth injection molding machine 10 to complete heating 30 minutes after the first group's heating is completed, in other words, at 7:30. The input field 1624 in this embodiment is a pull-down menu that allows input of a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or 30 minutes) after the completion of the first group.

[0151] The group addition button 1731 is a button for adding a new group. For example, when the operation reception unit 1231 receives a press of the group addition button 1731, the display control unit 1232 displays a display area for registering the injection molding machine 10 to the third group. For example, the display area for the third group displays three display areas for registering the injection molding machine 10. As a result, for example, the seventh injection molding machine 10, the eighth injection molding machine 10, and the ninth injection molding machine 10 are registered to the third group. An input field for the temperature rise completion time is also displayed for the third group. The input field allows input of a predetermined time from the completion of the second group. However, the input field is not limited to allowing input of a predetermined time from the completion of the second group; it may also allow input of a predetermined time from the completion of the first group (a time that is greater than the predetermined time for the second group).

[0152] The administrator presses the setting completion button 1732 when the registration of the settings related to the temperature rise of the injection molding machine 10 is complete. When the operation reception unit 1231 receives confirmation that the setting completion button 1732 has been pressed, it stores the contents registered on the management screen 1600 in the group management information storage unit 1241.

[0153] Furthermore, this embodiment does not limit the input field for the completion time of heating for the second and subsequent groups to a method in which a predetermined time is entered from the completion of heating for the previous group. For example, there is also a method in which the input field for each group accepts the input of a specific date and time.

[0154] The temperature control unit 1233 controls the temperature rise of each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 located in the factory 1300 based on the information stored in the group management information storage unit 1241 and the information stored in the injection molding machine management information storage unit 1242. In this embodiment, as an example of the management device 1200 causing each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 to perform temperature rise control, an example of sending a command to start the temperature rise will be described.

[0155] The communication control unit 1234 transmits and receives information to and from each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 located in the factory 1300 via the communication interface 1205. The communication control unit 1234 also transmits and receives information to and from each of the multiple mobile communication terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C located in the factory 1300 via the wireless communication interface 1206.

[0156] For example, the temperature rise control unit 1233 refers to the injection molding machine management information storage unit 1242 to determine the time required for heating each of the multiple injection molding machines 10. Then, for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 classified into a group, the temperature rise control unit 1233 determines the start time of heating as a time earlier than the heating completion time registered for that group, by the time required for heating.

[0157] The communication control unit 1234 then performs control to send a command to start heating to the injection molding machine 10 via the communication interface 1205 at the start time of heating which is specified for each injection molding machine 10.

[0158] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the method by which the control device 1200 controls the temperature rise of each injection molding machine 10 to the transmission of commands. For example, the control device 1200 may notify the operator to initiate the operation to start the temperature rise of the injection molding machine 10.

[0159] For example, when the temperature rise control unit 1233 determines the start time for heating up each of the multiple injection molding machines 10, the communication control unit 1234 sends a command to the injection molding machine 10 to activate a buzzer or light up a lamp at the start time of the injection molding machine 10's heating. Upon receiving the command, the injection molding machine 10 activates its buzzer or lights up its lamp. The operator then moves to the injection molding machine 10 that is activating its buzzer or illuminating its lamp, checks the status of the injection molding machine 10 and its surroundings, and then initiates the heating start operation on the injection molding machine 10. Thus, the injection molding machine 10 can start heating up from the scheduled start time.

[0160] In another example, when the temperature rise control unit 1233 determines the start time for heating up each of the multiple injection molding machines 10, the communication control unit 1234 notifies the mobile communication terminal 1000 of the operator in charge of the injection molding machine 10 of a message prompting the operator to start heating up, and information identifying the injection molding machine 10 to be heated up, at the start time of the injection molding machine 10. When the mobile communication terminal 1000 receives this notification, the management application 1031 running on the mobile communication terminal 1000 outputs a screen to the display device 1001 showing the message prompting the operator to start heating up the injection molding machine 10 and the information identifying the injection molding machine 10. Alternatively, the communication control unit 1234 may transmit the start time of heating up the injection molding machine 10 to the mobile communication terminal 1000 of the operator in charge of that injection molding machine 10, and the mobile communication terminal 1000 may be set to display a screen at the start time. The operator who refers to the screen performs the start of the heating process for the injection molding machine 10 identified by the displayed information. Therefore, the injection molding machine 10 can start heating from the specified start time.

[0161] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the control device 1200 controls the temperature rise or notifies the operator to initiate the operation to start the temperature rise, so that the time when the temperature rise of each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 included in the group is synchronized. However, the control device 1200 in this embodiment is not limited to controlling each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 included in the group so that the time when the temperature rise is completed is synchronized. For example, the control device 1200 may adjust the temperature rise control of each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 included in the group so that the time when the operator starts work on each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 included in the group is synchronized.

[0162] Furthermore, if the time required for the start-up work differs for each worker, the control device 1200 may take into account the work time for each worker when performing the start-up work. For example, the control device 1200 may control the temperature rise for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 included in the group, based on the time required for the start-up work for each worker, in order to synchronize the time when the start-up work by each worker is completed, or it may notify the worker to initiate the start-up operation.

[0163] Thus, the control device 1200 according to this embodiment transmits a command to start heating up each of the multiple injection molding machines 10, or notifies each of the multiple injection molding machines to prompt the operator to start heating up, so that each of the multiple injection molding machines starts up at a different time.

[0164] In this embodiment, an example was described in which three workers perform the startup work on nine injection molding machines 10. However, this embodiment does not limit nine injection molding machines 10 to three workers; the number of injection molding machines 10 and the number of workers can be arbitrary.

[0165] This embodiment describes an example in which the injection molding machines 10 are divided into groups according to the number of operators. However, the control of this embodiment may also be applied when there is only one operator. In this case, the concept of a group may not be necessary.

[0166] In this embodiment, the start time of production for the injection molding machine 10 can be synchronized by aligning the completion times of tasks performed by multiple workers. In other words, in this embodiment, by grouping the injection molding machines 10 as described above, multiple workers can perform tasks in parallel, thereby optimizing the start-up timing of multiple injection moldings and the start time of mass production.

[0167] In this embodiment, as an example of the control device 1200 causing each of the multiple injection molding machines to perform temperature rise control so that the temperature rise is completed to the point where the operator can start the startup work, an example of controlling the start of temperature rise for each of the multiple injection molding machines has been described. However, this embodiment does not limit the temperature rise control of each of the multiple injection molding machines by the control device 1200 to the control (adjustment) of the start of temperature rise. For example, instead of controlling (adjusting) the start of temperature rise, the control device 1200 may send a command to each of the multiple injection molding machines to start temperature rise at the same time, and also send a command to change the slope of the temperature rise after the start of temperature rise (e.g., the rise curve) according to each of the multiple injection molding machines, thereby adjusting the timing of completion of temperature rise to the point where the operator can start the startup work. Even with this adjustment method, the temperature rise can be completed in time with the timing when the operator can start the startup work, so the energy required for heat retention, etc., can be suppressed.

[0168] (Modification 1 of the first embodiment) Modification 1 of the first embodiment describes another form of the management screen for setting up temperature increase.

[0169] Figure 7 is an example of a management screen related to temperature rise displayed by the display control unit 1232 in this modified example. The management screen 1700 shown in Figure 7 is a screen in which the administrator sets the temperature rise of the injection molding machine 10 in order to have the operator perform the startup work.

[0170] The management screen 1700 shown in Figure 7 has input fields 1701 for the number of workers and 1702 for the work time. The management screen 1700 allows for the registration of injection molding machines 10 for each group, up to the number entered in input field 1701. The work time input field 1702 allows for the registration of the time required for a worker to start up one injection molding machine 10.

[0171] In the management screen 1700 shown in Figure 7, the display areas 1711 for the first injection molding machine, 1712 for the second injection molding machine, and 1713 for the third injection molding machine, which are selected as the first group, are displayed, as well as the display areas 1721 for the fourth injection molding machine, 1722 for the fifth injection molding machine, and 1723 for the sixth injection molding machine, which are selected as the second group.

[0172] Furthermore, the input field 1714 for the completion time of heating for the first group is set to "April 18th, 7:00". For the second group and beyond, the completion time of heating is automatically set according to the work time registered in the work time input field 1702. In other words, the input field 1724 for the completion time of heating for the second group is automatically set to "April 18th, 7:30".

[0173] The group add button 1731 and the setting end button 1732 are the same as the group add button 1631 and the setting end button 1632 in Figure 6, so their explanation is omitted.

[0174] This modification allows for the automatic setting of the heating completion time for the second and subsequent groups by setting the working time, thereby reducing the burden on the operator.

[0175] (Modification 2 of the first embodiment) Modification 2 of the first embodiment describes another form of the management screen for setting up temperature increase.

[0176] Figure 8 is an example of a management screen related to temperature rise displayed by the display control unit 1232 in this modified example. The management screen 1800 shown in Figure 8 is a screen in which the administrator sets the temperature rise of the injection molding machine 10 in order to have an operator perform the startup work.

[0177] In the management screen 1800 shown in Figure 8, there are input fields 1701 for the number of workers and 1702 for the work time, similar to Figure 7.

[0178] The display area 1840 of the management screen 1800 shown in Figure 8 displays map information within the factory 1300. The map information shows the locations of the first injection molding machine 1841, the second injection molding machine 1842, the third injection molding machine 1843, the fourth injection molding machine 1844, the fifth injection molding machine 1845, the sixth injection molding machine 1846, the seventh injection molding machine 1847, the eighth injection molding machine 18481, and the ninth injection molding machine 1849. Therefore, the administrator can group the injection molding machines 10 while checking the map information. For example, the administrator can register the injection molding machines 10 to each group by dragging locations 1841 to 1849 to the display area 1810 of the first group or the display area 1820 of the second group.

[0179] As a result of the administrator registration described above, the management screen 1800 displays the display areas 1811 for the first injection molding machine, 1812 for the second injection molding machine, and 1813 for the third injection molding machine, which are selected as the first group, as well as the display areas 1821 for the fourth injection molding machine, 1822 for the fifth injection molding machine, and 1823 for the sixth injection molding machine, which are selected as the second group.

[0180] Furthermore, the input field 1814 for the first group's heating completion time is set to "April 18th, 7:00". For the second group and beyond, the heating completion time is automatically set according to the work time registered in the work time input field 1802. In other words, the input field 1824 for the second group's heating completion time is automatically set to "April 18th, 7:30".

[0181] The group add button 1831 and the setting end button 1851 are the same as the group add button 1631 and the setting end button 1632 in Figure 6, so their explanation is omitted.

[0182] This modified version allows the manager to refer to the arrangement of injection molding machines 10 in the factory 1300, enabling grouping of the injection molding machines 10 while considering worker movement, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0183] The embodiments and modifications described above illustrate an example where the worker starts work at 7:00 and the heating completion time is adjusted so that work can begin at 7:00. However, the embodiments and modifications described above are not limited to adjusting the heating completion time to match the worker's start time. For example, the time to start manufacturing by the injection molding machine 10 is predetermined, and the control device 1200 may specify the heating completion time for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 so that the startup work for all injection molding machines 10 is completed by that time.

[0184] In another example, if a predetermined rule specifies a time when the heating of the injection molding machines 10 in the factory is permitted, the control device 1200 controls the injection molding machine 10, which takes the longest to heat up among the three machines in the first group, to start heating up at the permitted time. The control device 1200 then controls the heating of the other two machines in the first group so that they complete heating up at the same time as the injection molding machine 10, which started heating up first.

[0185] Furthermore, the control device 1200 may determine the completion time of the final group or an intermediate group, and then determine the start time for heating each group by working backward from that completion time.

[0186] (Second embodiment) In the embodiments and modifications described above, examples were given in which the injection molding machines 10 are grouped by the time of completion of heating. However, the embodiments described above are not limited to examples in which the injection molding machines 10 are grouped so as to have the same time of completion of heating.

[0187] In other words, the control device (an example of a control device for injection molding machines) 1200 only needs to adjust the temperature rise control in groups of multiple injection molding machines 10. Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example in which the control device (an example of a control device) 1200 groups the injection molding machines 10 on an operator basis will be described.

[0188] The above-described embodiment shows the case where all workers take the same amount of time to start up. However, the time required for start-up may differ for each worker due to differences in skill level, etc. Therefore, the control device 1200 according to this embodiment groups the injection molding machines 10 for each worker and adjusts the temperature rise control of each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 based on the time required for start-up by the workers responsible for starting up the multiple injection molding machines included in the group.

[0189] This embodiment provides an example of how the control device 1200 adjusts the temperature rise control of each of the multiple injection molding machines based on the work time required for startup, by adjusting the start of the temperature rise for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10, or by adjusting the output control of information indicating the timing of the start of the temperature rise for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10.

[0190] In this embodiment, the group management information storage unit 1241 of the management device 1200 stores information identifying the injection molding machine 10 and information identifying the group in association, and also stores information identifying the group, information identifying the worker, and the working time required for the worker to perform the startup work in association.

[0191] Figure 9 is an example of a management screen related to temperature rise displayed by the display control unit 1232 according to this embodiment. The management screen 1900 shown in Figure 9 is a screen in which the administrator makes settings related to the temperature rise of the injection molding machine 10 in order to have an operator perform the startup work.

[0192] The management screen 1900 shown in Figure 9 has input fields 1901 for the number of workers and 1902 for the work completion time.

[0193] The control device 1200 controls the heating of the injection molding machines 10 so that the heating of all injection molding machines 10 is completed by the end of the work time entered in the input field 1902.

[0194] In the administration screen 1900, you can set up as many groups as the number entered in input field 1901. For example, if "3" is entered in input field 1901, you can register groups 1 through 3.

[0195] Therefore, the management screen 1900 displays the display area 1910 for the first worker (first group), the display area 1920 for the second worker (second group), and the display area 1930 for the third worker (second group).

[0196] In the management screen 1900 shown in Figure 9, the first worker (first group) is shown the display area 1912 for the first injection molding machine, the display area 1913 for the fourth injection molding machine, and the display area 1914 for the seventh injection molding machine. As a result, the first worker (first group) is associated with the first injection molding machine 10, the fourth injection molding machine 10, and the seventh injection molding machine 10.

[0197] The display area 1910 for the first worker (first group) shows an input field 1911 for work time. The input field 1911 is where the time required for the start-up work by the first worker is entered. For example, if "30 minutes" is entered, the display control unit 1232 sets and displays the time when the temperature rise is complete for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 registered with the first worker (first group), so that the time required for the start-up work is 30 minutes.

[0198] As a result, "7:30" is displayed as the completion time for heating up the first injection molding machine 10, "8:00" is displayed as the completion time for heating up the fourth injection molding machine 10, and "8:30" is displayed as the completion time for heating up the seventh injection molding machine 10. Therefore, the end of the work is reached when the start-up work for all injection molding machines 10 is completed, in other words, when the start-up work for the seventh injection molding machine 10 is completed.

[0199] The display area 1920 for the second worker (second group) shows an input field 1921 for work time. The input field 1921 is where the time required for the start-up work by the second worker is entered. For example, if "30 minutes" is entered, the display control unit 1232 sets and displays the temperature completion time for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 registered to the second worker (second group) so that the time required for the start-up work is 30 minutes. The temperature completion time is the same as for the first worker, so the explanation is omitted.

[0200] The display area 1930 for the third worker (third group) shows an input field 1931 for work time. The input field 1931 is where the time required for the start-up work by the third worker is entered. For example, if "20 minutes" is entered, the display control unit 1232 sets and displays the time when the temperature rise is complete for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 registered with the third worker (third group), so that the time required for the start-up work is 20 minutes.

[0201] As a result, "8:00" is displayed as the completion time for heating up the third injection molding machine 10, "8:20" is displayed as the completion time for heating up the sixth injection molding machine 10, and "8:40" is displayed as the completion time for heating up the ninth injection molding machine 10. Therefore, the end of the work is reached when the startup work for all injection molding machines 10 is completed, in other words, when the startup work for the ninth injection molding machine 10 is completed.

[0202] Then, when the operation reception unit 1231 receives confirmation that the setting completion button 1941 has been pressed, it stores the contents registered on the management screen 1900 in the group management information storage unit 1241.

[0203] Then, the temperature rise control unit 1233 controls the start of temperature rise for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 located within the factory 1300, based on the information stored in the group management information storage unit 1241 and the information stored in the injection molding machine management information storage unit 1242.

[0204] In this embodiment as well, the control device 1200 may control each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 to start heating at the heating start time, or it may control each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 to output a buzzer or light up a lamp at the heating start time. Furthermore, the control device 1200 may notify the mobile communication terminals 1000A, 1000B, or 1000C of the operators in charge of the injection molding machines 10 that heating should be started.

[0205] In this embodiment, the control described above by the management device 1200 makes it possible to set the heating completion time for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10, taking into account the time required for the start-up work for each operator.

[0206] (Variation 1) The embodiments and modifications described above illustrate an example in which the control device 1200 adjusts the temperature rise control of each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 located within the factory 1300. However, the embodiments and modifications described above do not limit the control device for the injection molding machines 10 that perform temperature rise control to the control device 1200. As a modification, each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 may perform temperature rise control.

[0207] For example, the management device 1200 transmits the information stored in the group management information storage unit 1241 to each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 in advance.

[0208] Then, the temperature rise control unit 714 of each control device 700 of the multiple injection molding machines 10 determines a temperature rise start time from the received information such that the target temperature is reached by the time the temperature rise is completed, and controls the machine to start heating from the temperature rise start time. In addition, the display control unit 713 displays on the display device 760 a message indicating that the start-up operation should be performed when the temperature rise of the injection molding machine 10 is complete.

[0209] Another example is a method in which the temperature rise control unit 714 of each control device 700 of the multiple injection molding machines 10 determines the start time of the temperature rise from the received information, and outputs a buzzer or lights up a lamp when the determined start time arrives. Furthermore, instead of installing a management device 1200, one of the control devices 700 of the multiple injection molding machines 10 may be equipped with the same functions as the management device 1200.

[0210] (Modification 2) The embodiments and modifications described above describe an example in which the control device 1200 or each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 controls the temperature rise of each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 located in the factory 1300. However, the embodiments and modifications described above do not limit the device that performs temperature rise control to the control device 1200 or each of the injection molding machines 10. As a modification, mobile communication terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C may be used to perform temperature rise control.

[0211] For example, the management device 1200 transmits the information stored in the group management information storage unit 1241 and the information stored in the injection molding machine management information storage unit 1242 to each of the mobile communication terminals 1000.

[0212] The management application 1031 of the mobile communication terminal 1000 identifies the start time for heating up each of the multiple injection molding machines 10 that are in charge of the operator holding the mobile communication terminal 1000, based on the information stored in the group management information storage unit 1241 and the information stored in the injection molding machine management information storage unit 1242. At the timing of the start time for heating up, it controls the injection molding machine 10 by sending a command to start heating up. In this modified example, the method for controlling heating up is not limited to sending a command to start heating up, but may also be used to notify the operator to perform an operation to start heating up. For example, the management application 1031 of the mobile communication terminal 1000 may display information to prompt the operator to start heating up, and output an audio message. In addition, the management application 1031 displays information to prompt the operator to perform a startup operation when the heating up of the injection molding machine 10 is complete.

[0213] The embodiments and modifications described above are examples of control devices that perform temperature rise control for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10, and any other device may perform this function. For example, a cloud service that can transmit and receive information with various devices installed in the factory 1300 may have the same functions as the management device 1200 and perform temperature rise control for each of the multiple injection molding machines 10.

[0214] <effect> The devices within the factory 1300 according to the above-described embodiments and modified examples (control devices 700 for the injection molding machine 10, management device 1200, or mobile communication terminal 1000) perform the above-described control, enabling efficient startup of multiple injection molding machines 10 within the factory 1300.

[0215] Each control device for injection molding machines in the factory 1300 according to the above-described embodiment and modified examples (for example, the control device 700 for injection molding machine 10, the management device 1200, or the mobile communication terminal 1000) can efficiently start up multiple injection molding machines 10 by performing the above-described control. Furthermore, each control device for injection molding machines can suppress the energy consumption required to maintain the heating temperature of multiple injection molding machines 10, thereby reducing the risk of deterioration such as burning of the molding material.

[0216] The embodiments of each device within the factory 1300 according to the present invention (control device 700 for injection molding machine 10, management device 1200, or mobile communication terminal 1000) have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations are possible within the scope described in the claims. These also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0217] 10 injection molding machine 700 Control Unit 701 CPU 705 Communication Interface 711 Communication Control Unit 712 Operation Reception Section 713 Display Control Unit 714 Temperature Control Unit 1200 Management device 1201 Display device 1202 Operating device 1203 CPU 1231 Operation Reception Section 1232 Display Control Unit 1233 Temperature Control Unit 1234 Communication Control Unit 1204 Storage medium 1241 Group Management Information Storage Unit 1242 Injection molding machine management information storage unit 1205 Communication Interface 1206 Wireless Communication Interface 1000A, 1000B, 1000C Mobile Communication Terminals 1001 Display device 1002 Wireless communication interface 1003 CPU 1031 Management Application

Claims

1. A control unit that controls the temperature rise of each of the multiple injection molding machines so that each of the multiple injection molding machines completes the temperature rise necessary to enable the operator to start up the machine at a different time. A control device for an injection molding machine equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

2. The control unit adjusts the temperature rise control for each of the multiple injection molding machines in separate groups. A control device for an injection molding machine according to claim 1.

3. The control unit adjusts the temperature rise control of each of the multiple injection molding machines included in the group so as to coincide with the time when the temperature rise of each of the multiple injection molding machines included in the group is completed, the time when the operator starts the start-up operation for each of the multiple injection molding machines included in the group, or the time when the operator completes the start-up operation for each of the multiple injection molding machines included in the group. The control device for an injection molding machine according to claim 2.

4. The control unit adjusts the temperature rise control of each of the multiple injection molding machines included in the group based on the time required for the start-up work by the operator responsible for starting up the multiple injection molding machines included in the group. The control device for an injection molding machine according to claim 2.

5. The control unit transmits a command to each of the multiple injection molding machines to start temperature control, notifies the operator to prompt them to start the temperature rise operation, or makes the rate of temperature rise different for each of the multiple injection molding machines, so that each of the multiple injection molding machines completes the temperature rise at a different time. A control device for an injection molding machine according to claim 1.

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